Group wants Taupō pest free by 2050

Tuesday, 31 October 2017

Volunteers from Predator Free Taupō, Forest & Bird members and DOC rangers prepare to set traps at Opepe Reserve.

Taupō residents are being armed and trained in the war against rats, stoats and possums.

A new group called Predator Free Taupō is turning ordinary households into rat catchers as it pursues its goal of making the area free of exotic predators by 2050.

Neil Baxter from Forest and Bird masters the technique for setting a DOC200 rat and stoat trap

The group aims to get every household in the greater Taupō area trapping things like rats, mustelids and possums.

Predator Free Taupō was set up in June this year and is an extension of the Greening Taupō organisation, which has been extensively re-planting natives and restoring areas around Lake Taupō and the upper reaches of the Waikato River.

Predator Free committee member Robyn Ellis was impressed by the amount of interest shown by locals, when it came to getting rid of pests.

'We can see how keen the community are, so we've been working hard to create opportunities for people to learn and get involved.'

Its most recent projects include a backyard trapping project in Acacia Bay and an extensive pest trapping project at Opepe Reserve that will be run by volunteers. Other projects include the Waipahihi Gully Restoration and the Waikato River Corridor from Control Gates Bridge to Aratiatia.

Volunteers are now being taught the ins and outs of starting a predator control programme. They are taught how to use GPS to position and find traps, how to set lures, and safe setting techniques for the traps.

Volunteers are often tasked with projects close to home like trapping rats.

The Department of Conservation [DOC] supports the groups with traps, training and projects.

DOC Central Plateau Operations Manager Dave Lumley said research showed that the vast majority of New Zealanders (85 per cent) rated conservation as important to them personally.

'Yet still only about one in ten have actively helped on a conservation project.'

'With a variety of projects around Lake Taupō we're hoping to see more locals get involved in Predator Free efforts – even a simple rat trap in your backyard will make a difference.'

The latest mission for volunteers is at Opepe Bush Historic Reserve which is 15 minutes drive from Taupo, on the Taupō-Napier Road. It has two easy loop tracks, making it popular with families and dog walkers [dogs must be on a leash].

It is also a good example of a mature podocarp forest, close to town, where people can see large rimu and matai, and a range of native bird species. All this made it an ideal location for the community led conservation work.

Traps have been installed by Predator Free Taupō volunteers and local Forest & Bird members with support from DOC as part of Conservation Week.

Ellis said

having every household in the greater Taupō area trapping rats, mustelids and possums would make a big difference.